Our final review of archaeology digest news items from the Summer 2019 issue of ARTIFAX news magazine includes information from Thessalonica, where a subway construction project is far behind schedule due to all of the archaeological treasures which are being found, and a copy of Seneca's Histories has been found for the first time in history. Up til now Seneca's work has only been found quoted in other ancient documents.
Other news items include the excavation plans for the huge hippodrome at Laodicea, one of the seven cities of Revelation; a discovery of the oldest shipwreck in the Mediterranean (dating to 1600 BC) carrying a cargo of copper ingots, and plans to make the historic site of Karkemish an open air museum along the Euphrates River.

Reviewing some of the recent news reported in the summer issue of ARTIFAX magazine, we take a look at some mosaic stories. Once again this summer, another mosaic image is released from the Huqoq synagogue excavation in the Galilee: a picture of the two Israelite spies returning from Canaan with a large cluster of grapes.
We also mention the recent discovery of another beautiful mosaic on the property that is being excavated in preparation for the construction of a mosaic museum at Lod. And the excavation of St. Hilarion’s Monastery in Gaza, the oldest monastery in the region, will include mosaic remains.
We also discover archaeologists have found evidence that certain types of whales, which fit the story of Jonah, once actually were found in the Mediterranean, contrary to popular belief. The story comes from an excavation of Roman ruins at Gibralter.

The new ESV Archaeology Study Bible, published by Crossway, joins the NIV Archaeology Study Bible published about a dozen years ago by Zondervan. In these two programs we talk with one of the main editors, John Currid, of Reformed Theological Seminary, about how the project came together, what's unique about this particular volume, and about some of his own archaeological experiences along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, and along the Mediterranean Coast at ancient Carthage.

The new ESV Archaeology Study Bible, published by Crossway, joins the NIV Archaeology Study Bible published about a dozen years ago by Zondervan. In these two programs we talk with one of the main editors, John Currid, of Reformed Theological Seminary, about how the project came together, what's unique about this particular volume, and about some of his own archaeological experiences along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, and along the Mediterranean Coast at ancient Carthage.

Megiddo, one of the most famous sites of biblical archaeology, is becoming even more so with archaeological developments in its neighborhood. While the tell excavation continues (a royal burial was announced recently), a new excavation across the road has been uncovering the remains of second century Roman camp, the largest known in the eastern Mediterranean.
Down at the crossroads, about a mile away, an Israeli prison is being demolished. A more modern facility is being built elsewhere, so that the mosaics from Roman period homes can be displayed, one which identifies one of the earliest known Christian worship communities in Israel (discovered in 2005).
We also discuss the mosaics found in Byzantine churches in the Galilee, reconnecting Ephesus to the Aegean Sea, a surveillance network in Syria, and an Assyrian document that echoes the story of Abraham from Genesis.